It is likewise disliked, while in prostration, to sprawl one’s forearms on the ground—namely, to extend them flat and press them against it—for the Prophet said, “Keep yourselves balanced in prostration, and none of you should spread his arms the way a dog spreads them,” an agreed-upon report. In another narration he stated, “Do not rest your forearms the way a dog rests them.”

Also disliked in the prayer is fidgeting—that is, playing or engaging in purposeless movements with the hand, foot, beard, garment, or the like, including wiping the floor without any real need.

It is disliked to pray with one’s hands on the hips (standing akimbo), for this posture was typical of unbelievers and the arrogant, and we have been forbidden to imitate them. An agreed-upon hadith explicitly prohibits a man from praying while standing with his hands on his hips.

Cracking the fingers or interlacing them during the prayer is likewise disliked.

It is further disliked to pray with something directly in front of one that distracts and diverts his attention, for such distraction hinders completion of the prayer with proper focus.

Finally, it is disliked to pray in a place that contains images, because this resembles an act of worship